Guiding and nurturing ministerial candidates, church professionals, and individuals from a number of denominations through the process of career and life planning.

Boundary/Ethics Training

Calendar

2016 Upcoming Events

RETREAT: "A Pastor's Theology of Risk"

September 2017

St. Francis Springs Prayer Center477 Grogan RoadStoneville, NC 27048

Limited to the first 18 people registered.

This retreat will challenge pastors and other church leaders to expand their capacity for taking the boldest risks, for maximizing creativity, and for recognizing the difference between a call and a gamble. Participants will explore their personal fears and barriers to taking risks as a first step to envisioning a theology of risk.

All ministry leadership involves some degree of risk. The biggest visions involve the greatest risk. In the Bible, when God calls someone it always involves risk-taking. In fact, the Bible writers almost uniformly remind God’s people not to fear. But it’s one thing to admire those who take heroic and holy risks and it’s quite another to be the one called to take the risks. Many of us are risk-averse by nature, as is the church as an institution, even when we believe God is calling us to step out in faith. Sometimes the spiritually wisest risks are the most dangerous, but emotional and spiritual barriers are in the way.

“A Pastor’s Theology of Risk” will challenge clergy and church leaders to expand their capacity for taking the boldest risks, for maximizing creativity, and for recognizing the difference between a call and a gamble. We will explore our personal fears and barriers to taking risks as a first step to envisioning a theology of risk. “A Pastor’s Theology of Risk” is about releasing the greatest potential for the most creative and spiritually balanced leadership.

This curriculum is intended as the framework to raise consciousness and to provide an atmosphere of support to clergy. Clergy are bound by their vows to respect the dignity of every human being and through their ordination vows, are expected to be faithful and accountable. Abuse of power occurs when accountability is absent, or the appropriate support system and personal care are not in place, and/or relationship boundaries are violated. This training will provide the guidelines, foundation, and normative expectations needed to support the principles and practice of ordained ministry.

In ministry, we spend a lot of time empowering others to claim their own voice. Over time, it is easy to find the best ways to keep peace in our congregations, but we often lose our own sesne of unique voice. This three-day retreat will look at personal strengths, gifts, passions and interests, but will also explore most deeply the questions, "what do I want my life to speak?"